Goalkeeping crisis: Osayi, Obasogie deserve Super Eagles’ call-up – Kano Pillars coach
ABDULLAHI Maikaba, Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars Football Club, has recommended Kingdom Osayi and Amas Obasogie of Doma United and Bendel Insurance, respectively, as good alternatives to resolve the Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis.
Maikaba said this in an interview with journalists shortly after the Match Day 13 fixture of the NPFL 2023/2024 season, which was played at Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe, on Saturday, with Kano Pillars losing 0-1 to Doma United.
He said with the form of both players, they deserved to be called up for the national team to help address the goalkeeping challenges being experienced by the team.
“Football is improving in Nigeria, especially at the league level.
“We hope the national team selectors will look inwards to our league.
“I recommend Doma United’s Kingdom and Bendel Insurance’s Amas to be of help to our national team.
“I believe these two goalkeepers can be safe hands for the Super Eagles,” he said.
On the outcome of the game, Maikaba said the fact that Doma United defeated his team by a lone goal didn’t mean the hosts were better than his team.
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He said his players were unlucky not to have grabbed the equalising goal, and he expressed optimism that his team had enough opportunity to recover and get to the top.
Asked why the 18-year-old Yusuf Abdullahi could not score a goal in spite scoring five at the same stadium on Sunday, Maikaba said it was due to pressure.
He stated that the player was under pressure from those who wanted to sell him to clubs outside the country.
“After scoring five goals, there must have been a lot of pressure on him, especially those that want to sell him out.
“We had to collect his phone for him to concentrate. I think that was part of his problem today,” he said.
Maikaba commended the turn out of supporters to watch their NPFL team play, adding that such attendance was good for the development of football in the country.
“I like the atmosphere, the supporters are out for them and it is good for Nigerian football,” he said.
On his part, Doma United’s Head Coach, Akinade Onigbinde, said Osayi had proven himself as a good goalkeeper that deserved a call-up to the national team.
Onigbinde said Osayi could challenge any goalkeeper in the national team in view of his impressive saves that had helped his team secure top spot in the NPFL.
He said he could give assurance to the coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, that Osayi would not disappoint if called up for national assignment.
“I brought Osayi to this team. I saw him when we played against Niger tornadoes in Kano last season.
“I saw the quality in him and since we had goalkeeping problems, I called him over, so I know he can do it.
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“He has the qualities to go to a national team. He is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has saved a lot of goals,” he said.
On the outcome of the game, he said they planned well for Kano Pillars knowing how good they were.
According to him, his defenders were tactically disciplined and that explained why Kano Pillars players found it difficult to score in the game.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Osayi attributed his success so far to God and fans of Doma United for their constant prayers and support.
He said he was not under any pressure to join the national team: “If I am given the opportunity to man the goal post (for the national team), I will be so excited, and I will definitely do my best.”
NAN reports that Osayi was named the NPFL player of the month for November, while Doma United coach was named coach of the month.
NAN also reports that Emmanuel Ekpenyong scored for Doma United in the 14th minute of the game to send his team to the top of the NPFL log with 25 points.
Doma now has two points ahead of Remo Stars and Lobi Stars who both have a game in hand.
Also, the 12, 000-capacity Pantami Township stadium was filled to capacity as fans crowded the facility to watch their teams play.
(NAN)
Super Eagles seal AFCON 2025 spot, draw 1-1 against Benin
Victor Osimhen’s late header helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, clinching their qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Benin, playing their matches in Côte d’Ivoire, took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohammed Tijani headed in a short corner.
The goal followed a period of sustained pressure from the Beninoise side on the Nigerian defence.
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Benin nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to keep Nigeria in the game.
Osimhen threatened as the first half progressed, with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Benin came close again, but a shot veered inches wide of the right post, sparing the Eagles further trouble.
With nine minutes remaining, Osimhen rose to the occasion, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score at 1-1.
With this result, the Super Eagles top Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin hold second place with seven points.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo.
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Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points.
Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial match tonight.
Libya is set to host Benin in the final Group D game on Monday.
Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.
Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.
“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”
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